The Fiery Furnance

Everyone loves a good story.......In fact, much of our lives, our communities is based on how we communicate with those around us. We are shaped by the stories and experiences we have growing up. We are shaped by the narratives we hear in our community and in our nation. We come believe certain things based on these narratives and experiences.

It was no different for the people in Old Testament Days like we heard about with David/Goliath and Daniel in the den of lions. These stories would have had a hand in shaping the people of that day, not just David and Daniel who experienced these things first hand. For example, as Pastor Cindy shared with us last week, look at how King Darius was shaped after waking up to find Daniel unharmed? That experience changed the course of history for the Kingdom that day.

This morning, we are going to be in Daniel 3. We see another formative story being told. A couple of things for us to consider as we dig in this morning. First, the people were learning to live in a new culture that had been forced upon them. Daniel 1 starts out by telling us that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. They were no longer in control. They were learning to live in a new culture, and frankly in some level of captivity. Second, we must remember that these are real stories of real people, not made up accounts. These people stood strong in their faith, living it out even when it was difficult. They were living it out even though they now found themselves outside of the safety of the land of Israel. I want us to imagine as we dig in today what people must have been thinking and feeling.

Let’s start our reading this morning in Daniel 3 and verse 1:

Daniel 3:1–7 NIV

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Let’s stop there for a moment. We don’t know exactly when or where this narrative takes place. However, we do know that it happened during King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, which was probably the best and most powerful time during the Babylonian empire. The main concern of the writer, however, appears to be more focused on the social and religious context. We see the center of the setting to be this image of gold, which represents the overwhelming power and wealth of both Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar. It also represented an idol. This image was huge - it was meant to be seen and remembered for its prominence in the society. Being made of gold was important - it was the most costly metal of the day and the amount needed would have been massive. Nebuchadnezzar wanted it build because of his great significance - it was made to worship and set up by him. Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful and he wanted people to remember this.

Then Nebuchadnezzar puts out the bold command that all are to bow down and worship it. It doesn’t matter your citizenship, your language, anything. All were to worship this image. And he adds a punishment to it - if someone doesn’t comply they will be thrown into a blazing furnace. He is essentially eliminating anyone who doesn’t comply with his power. Quite the way to make sure you stay in power and people listen, isn’t it? The stage is set for a test of faithfulness for the follower’s of the God of Abraham, the Jews. The odds are against anyone who would dare to stand up for their faith and not worship Nebuchadnezzar’s graven image - in fact, it was almost certain death to do so.

What would you do? How would you feel about the situation? I think there is value in us thinking through what we would do in such a situation - would our faith in the God of the universe win out? Or would you bow down and worship the image to save your skin?

Let’s pick up in verse 8.

Daniel 3:8–18 NIV

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

There’s a couple of interesting things for us to note in this part of the narrative. First, we have some astrologers, as the Scripture calls them, and the three Jewish men of whom they are accusing.

Let’s look at the Jewish men first. The Jews who were in captivity didn’t initiate confrontation with Babylonian leaders. They did not do anything to point out their disobedience of Nebuchadnezzar or their continued piety toward God. They just continued to worship their God as they had previously, before being taken captive into Babylon. They were not campaigning for the end of Babylon and trying to win political positions or putting their hope in something other than God. They were continuing to be faithful to God and standing firm in their faith, portraying a Godly witness.

The astrologers, on the other hand, see an opportunity to accuse these three men. The way the text is written suggests that this was not all of the astrologers, just some of them, and they weren’t accusing all Jews, just these three men. So for some reason, the text would suggest it to be a personal reason to get back at these men. They may have had some sort of political motivation or maybe it was just revenge or maybe it was some sort of ethnic bigotry at play. Regardless, they have brought this to the attention of Nebuchadnezzer, by announcing his greatness and reminding him of his decree and accusing these men. It is an allegation that is specific.

This infuriates Nebuchadnezzer, who demands the individuals be brought before him. The three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are in a position where they had some influence over the province of Babylon. This may be the reason for the astrologers want for revenge, but we are not certain about this. The King demands to know if the accusations are true and he puts them to the test. He has the instruments sounded to see what they will do, and in the face of certain death they stand strong in their faith. But note the response of the three men in verse 17 and 18:

Daniel 3:17–18 NIV

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

They stand firm and will not worship false God’s while declaring that God is able to deliver them from the blazing furnace and that God will deliver them whether it is in their physical forms in the current context or if it is with God for eternity. They are declaring part of God’s character and declaring that their God was superior to any other made up gods. They had made their decision, no matter the consequence. We might tend to think they are brave, but friends, this is a great example of what standing firm in our faith no matter what looks like.

Let’s pick up in verse 19:

Daniel 3:19–30 NIV

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

And now the drama builds. What will happen when they are thrown into the furnace. The punishment was to be carried out immediately, no chance for reprieve or a change of heart. For extra measure, Nebuchadnezzar has the furnace heated up seven times hotter and tied the men up so they couldn’t escape. In fact, the furnace was so hot that even those strongest soldiers who were to throw them in were burned. So now the three are in the furnace. Notice who perish at this point - Babylon’s best - not God’s best.

Then, Nebuchadnezzar sees the impossible. There are four, not three men in the fire and they are walking around, unbound, and unharmed. At this point, we see Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgement of the miraculous deliverance by commanding the men to come out of the furnace.

Let’s take a moment and consider what has taken place in the previous few moments in this story. Nebuchadnezzar has gone from angry and ready for revenge, to being humbled by the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the blazing hot furnace. But not only the King was witness to this, a number of his officials were as well. They saw the men come out unharmed - not a hair on their heads singed - not a thread of their clothing burned. It was in this moment that Nebuchadnezzar realizes he has no power or sovereignty over the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He now responds in verses 28-30 in praise and awe of God Almighty. He then issues a new decree that no one is to say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Oh how we should long to have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Oh that we would trust God that much in the face of certain death. However, I think there is another lesson for us this morning as well as the Church of Jesus Christ. We would do well to pay attention to the witness of these three Jewish men. They weren’t shouting out how they had been wronged. They weren’t pushing the empire to change it’s ways toward them and their God. They just continued to faithfully serve their God and guess what? People noticed. That is how they ended up in this predicament and God had the opportunity to preform a great miracle that would impact many that day. We would do well to live out our faith in the example of these three Jewish men, rather than in the vocal and empire focused way so many in the church do today. God’s Kingdom is radically different, and no earthly empire will have any impact on how God’s Kingdom grows or does not grow. God uses the church faithful to Jesus Christ for that.

Let’s take a few moments this morning to reflect on how strong our faith really is and how well we are living out our witness for God as we see from the examples in Scripture such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.